Can faucet



July 18, 1961 V R. o. HUERTAS 2,992,763

CAN FAUCET Filed July 51, 1959 FIG. 1.

FIG. 3.

FIG. 6.

Z0 jg 4 60 35 INVENTOR. EMF/N0 0. #058 7746,

ATTOE VEYS United States Patent C) 2,992,763 CAN FAUCET Rufino 0. 'Huertas, 137 Dub'oce Ave, San Francisco, Calif.

Filed July 31, 1959, Ser. No. 830,901 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-484) This invention relates to an improved valving pouring faucet, for containers such as cans, of the type involving a slidable and rotatable spout member.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simpler, more practical, and more eflicient faucet of the kind indicated, which provides more reliable sealing of containers, when in closed position, such that carbonated and volatile liquids, such as beer, can be successfully contained in containers equipped with the faucet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lowcost faucet of the character indicated above, whose spout member is a valving member which is more easily and simply operated between closed and open positions, and wherein positive spout locking and sealing means is provided which serves to prevent unwanted and accidental opening or unsealing of the faucet when in closed position.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention isset forth in. detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a beer can incorporating a faucet in accordance with the present invention, the faucet being shown in phantom lines;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section taken on the line 22 of FIGURE '1, the spout member being shown in closed position;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the spout member in open position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation taken from the right of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation and longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 generally designates a beer can having a side wall 12, and a top wall 14, which is conventionally cr-imped at its edge on the upper end of the side wall 12. It be understood that containers other than beer cans are within the purview and application of the invention.

In accordance with a disclosure of the present inven tion a faucet, generally designated 16, comprises an elongated cylindrical tube 18 which is disposed substantially diametrically and horizontally across the interior of the can 10 and reaches to; diametrically opposed portions of the side wall 12, on a level close to the underside of the can top wall 14. The inner or first end 20 of the tube 18, which is otherwise open, is conformably engaged with the can side wall 12, and is sealed closed and secured thereto, as by soldering 22. The outer or second end of the tube 18 is open, as indicated at 24, and has fixed to and preferably integral therewith an annular flared outer end 26. The flared end 26 can be considered as being a part of the can side wall 12, or as an adjunct of the tube 18, secured to the edges of an opening in the side wall 12.

Centered with respect to the inner end 20 of the tube 18, an air vent 28 is provided "in the can side wall 12, and a flared valve seat 30 is secured to the inward side of the side wall 12 around the vent 28, and extends 2,992,763 Patented July 18, 1961 2 anially the tube 18. The side wall :32 of the tube 18 is provided, intermediate its ends, with an air hole or port 34 in its upper side, which provides communication between the tube 18 and the interior of the can 10. Suitably secured to the inward side of and extending around the flared tube end 26 is an annul-arly comformable material combined sealing and friction ring 34, which has an inner friction edge 36 project-ing slightly and under tension into the open end 24 of the tube 18.

Formed in the bottom of the tube side wall 32, near to and spaced from the open end 24, is a relatively large circular liquid outlet opening 38, which provides communication between the interior of the can 10 and the tube 18. Also formed in the opposite sides of tube side Wall 32, at a location between and spaced from the inner tube end 20 and the outlet opening 38, are longitudinal out-pressed detent grooves 40, having lateral upstanding arms 41 on their inward ends, and lateral depending arms 43 on their outward ends.

The faucet 16 further comprises a tubular and cylindrical spout, generally designated 44, which is rotatable and slidable in the tube 18, through the outer open end 24 thereof. The spout 44 is substantially shorter than the stationary tube 18, and has a side wall 46 which is a close sliding and rotary fit within the tube 18, a closed inner end wall 48 and an open outer end 50, on which is a fixed, preferably integral annular flared flange 52. "The flared flange 52 is smaller in diameter than the flared tube end 26, and has a peripheral annular lip 54, which is normal to the axis of the spout, which is provided to compressively engage the outer edge 56 of the compressible ring 34, as shown in FIGURE 2. As is shown in FIGURE 3, the ring 34 is preferably unsecured, in the region of its outer edge 56, to the flared tube end 26, in order to enable the ring 34 to be compressed crosswise thereof by the engagement of the lip 54 therewith, in the closed position of the spout 44, as shown in FIGURE 2, wherein the inner edge 36 of the ring is hictionally and sealingly jammed between and against the exterior of the spout 44, the flared tube end 26, the flared spout flange 52, and the lip 54, whereby the spout44 is held friotionally against rotation and sliding in the tube 18, in the closed position of the spout 44, and the spout is liquid and airsealed in the tube 18. On the outward side of the spout flange 52 are fixed diametrically opposed ears or fins 58, which provide finger holds for rotating and sliding the spout 44.

Formed in the opposite sides of the side wall 46 of the spout 44, near the closed inner end thereof, are outstanding detent buttons 60, which are slidably confined in the detent grooves 40, and which can be lockingly engaged in either of the arms 41, 43 of the grooves 40, by rotating and sliding the spout '44. The side wall 46 of the spout 44 is formed, intermediate its ends, with a liquid discharge opening 62, of the same size as the outlet opening 38 of the tube 18, and which registers with the opening 38 when the spout 44 is rotated and is withdrawn out of the tube 18 to its open position, as shown in FIGURE 3, wherein the buttons 60 are lockingly engaged in the outer groove arms 43. In this open position of the spout 44, its closed inner end wall 48 is to the right of, at the outer side of the port 34, which is exposed by pulling out of the spout 44, so that air communication is provided between the interior of the can 10 and the atmosphere outside of the can, through the vent opening 28.

In the inward closed position of the spout 44, in the tube 18, wherein the buttons 60 have been moved out of the outer groove arms 43, along the grooves 40, and into the inner groove arms 41, the side wall 46 of the spout 44 closes the port 34 and the outlet opening 38 in the tube side wall 32, and the spout flange 52 is in the above described compressive and sealing engagement with the ring 34,'wherein the spout flange 52 and the cars 58 are countersunk the flared tube end 26, so as to avoid any undesirable projections beyond the can side wall 12.

For positively closing the vent opening 28 in can side wall 12, while the spout 44 is in its closed position, there is fixed on the spout inner end wall 48, an axial tubular rod 64, which has a blind bore 65 which opens at its outer end through the end wall 48, as indicated at 66, and is closed by and has engaged in its inner end, a plug 68 which has an enlarged diameter compressible and tapered valve head 70 for seating in the valve seat 30, only in the closed position of the spout 44. The inner end of the rod 64 is cn'rnped, as indicated at 71, to hold the plug 68. The side wall of the rod 64, at a point between the plug 68 and the outer end of the rod, is formed with a port 72, which provides communication between the interior of the tube 18 and the interior of the spout 44, through the rod 64, in both the open and closed positions of the spout 44. This arrangement provides free flow of liquid firomthe interior of the can 10, through the outlet and discharge openings 38, 62 into the spout 44, while these openings are registered, in the open position of the spout 14, because of the unobstructed freedom of flow of outside air into the can thereby assured, and prevents the spout 44 from producing suction in the can 10 as it is moved to open position, and from producing unwanted pressure within the can 10, as it is moved to closed position.

Although there has been shown and described herein a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid container having opposed first and second wall portions, a tube extending between said wall portions, said tube having an inner end secured to and closed by said first wall portion, said second Wall portion having an opening, said tube having an open outer end secured to said second wall portion and engaged in said opening, said first wall portion having a vent opening located within the inner end of the tube, the sidewall of said tube having a port intermediate its ends and an outlet opening located between said port and the outer end of the tube, a tubular spout shorter than said tube and engaged slidably and rotatably in the tube through the outer end of the tube, the sidewall of said spout having an opening located intermediate its ends and adapted to register with said outlet opening only in out-drawn position of the spout, said spout having an inner end wall, and a valve element fixed to and extending inwardly from said end wall for closing said vent opening only in a pushed-in position of the spout.

2. A liquid container having opposed first and second wall portions, a tube extending between said wall portions, said tube having an inner end secured to and closed by said first wall portion, said second wall portion having an opening, said tube having an open outer end secured to said second wall portion and engaged in said opening, said first wall portion having a vent opening located within the inner end of the tube, the sidewall of said tube having a port intermediate its ends and an outlet opening located between said port and the outer end of the tube, a tubular spout shorter than said tube and engaged slidably and rotatably in the tube through the outer end of the tube, the sidewall of said spout having an opening located intermediate its ends and adapted to register with said'outlet opening only in out-drawn position of the spout, said spout having an inner end wall, and a valve element fixed to and extending inwardly from said end wall for closing said vent opening only in a pushed-in position of the spout, said port being spaced between said first wall portion and the end wall of the spout in the out-drawn position of the spout.

3. A liquid container having opposed first and second wall portions, a tube extending between said wall portions, said tube having an inner end secured to and closed by said first wall portion, said second wall portion having an opening, said tube having an open outer end secured to said second wall portion and engaged in said opening, said first wall portion having a vent opening located within the inner end of the tube, the sidewall of said tube having a port intermediate its ends and an outlet opening located between said port and the outer end of the tube, a tubular spout shorter than said tube and engaged slidably and rotatably in the tube through the outer end of the tube, the sidewall of said spout having an opening located intermediate its ends and adapted to register with said outlet opening only in out-drawn position of the spout, said spout having an inner end wall, and a valve element fixed to and extending inwardly from said end wall for closing said vent opening only in a pushedin position of the spout, said port being spaced between said first wall portion and the end wall of the spout in the out-drawn position of the spout, said valve element comprising a rod having a longitudinal blind bore having a closed inner end and an outer end opening through the spout end wall, said rod having a lateral port intermediate its ends opening to the bore, said rod having a valve head on its inner end adapted to engage said vent opening only in the pushed-in position of the spout.

4. A liquid container having opposed first and second wall portions, a tube extending between said wall portions, said tube having an inner end secured to and closed by said first wall portion, said second wall portion having an opening, said tube having an open outer end secured to said second wall portion and engaged in said opening, said first wall portion having a vent opening located within the inner end of the tube, the sidewall of said tube having a port intermediate its ends and an outlet opening located between said port and the outer end of the tube, a tubular spout shorter than said tube and engaged slidably and rotatably in the tube through the outer end of the tube, the sidewall of said spout having an opening located intermediate its ends and adapted to register with said outlet opening only in out-drawn position of the spout, said spout having an inner end Wall, and a valve element fixed to and extending inwardly from said end wall for closing said vent opening only in a pushed-in position of the spout, said port being spaced between said first wall portion and the end wall of the spout in the out-drawn position of the spout, said valve element comprising a rod having a longitudinal blind bore having a closed inner end and an outer end opening through the spout end wall, said rod having a lateral port intermediate its ends opening to the bore, said rod having a valve head on its inner end adapted to engage said vent opening only in the pushed-in position of the spout, and a valve seat fixed to said first wall portion around said vent opening and extending toward said spout, said valve head being engageable in said valve seat to close said vent opening only in the pushed-in position of the spout.

5. A liquid container having opposed first and second wall portions, a tube extending between said wall portions, said tube having an inner end secured to and closed by said first wall portion, said second wall portion having an opening, said tube having-an open outer end secured to said'second wall portion and engaged in; said opening, said first wall portion having a vent open-: ing located within the inner end of the tube, the sidewall of said tube having a port intermediate its ends and an outlet opening located between said port and'the outer end of the tube, a tubular spout shorter than said tube and engaged slidably and rotatably in the tube through the outer end of the tube, the sidewall of said spout having an opening located intermediate its ends and adapted to register with said outlet opening only in out-drawn P $i i0 of the spout, said spout having an inner end wall, and a valve element fixed to and extending inwardly from said end wall for closing said vent opening only in a pushed-in position of the spout, said port being spaced between said first Wall portion and the end Wall of the spout in the out-drawn position of the spout, said valve element comprising a rod having a longitudinal blind bore having a closed inner end and an outer end opening through the spout end wall, said rod having a lateral port intermediate its ends opening to the bore, said rod having a valve head on its inner end adapted to engage said vent opening only in the pushed-in position of the spout, the sidewall of the spout having an upstanding detent button and the sidewall of said tube having a detent groove located between the inner end of the tube and said tube port, said detent button being securably engageable in the detent groove only in the pushed-in position of the spout.

6. A liquid container having opposed first and second wall portions, a tube extending between said wall portions, said tube having an inner end secured to and closed by said first wall portion, said second wall portion having an opening, said tube having an open outer end secured to said second wall portion and engaged in said opening, said first wall portion having a vent opening located within the inner end of the tube, the sidewall of said tube having a port intermediate its ends and an outlet opening located between said port and the outer end of the tube, a tubular spout shorter than said tube and engaged slidably and rotatably in the tube through the outer end of the tube, the sidewall of said spout having an opening located intermediate its ends and adapted to register with said outlet opening only in out-drawn position of the spout, said spout having an inner end wall, and a valve element fixed to and extending inwardly from said end wall for closing said vent opening only in a pushed-in position of the spout, said port being spaced between said first wall portion and the end wall of the spout in the out-drawn position of the spout, said valve element comprising a rod having a longitudinal blind bore having a closed inner end and an outer end opening through the spout end wall, said rod having a lateral port intermediate its ends opening to the bore, said rod having a valve head on its inner end adapted to engage said vent opening only in the pushed-in position of the spout, the sidewall of the spout having an upstanding detent button and the sidewall of said tube having a detent groove located between the inner end of the tube and said tube port, said detent button being securably engageable in the detent groove only in the pushed-in position of the spout, and a lateral flange fixed around the outer end of the spout for stop and sealing engagement with the outer end of the tube in the pushedin position of the spout.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

